Manure-spreader.



No. 729,139. PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

LE GRAND KNIF'FBN.

MANURE SPREADER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 729,189. PATBNTED MAY 26, 1903. LE GRAND KNIFPBN.

MANURE SPREADER.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 14, 1902.

H0 MODEL. 4: SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED' MAY 26, 1903.

I No. 729,189.

LE GRAND KNIFPEN. MANURE SPREADER. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE-14, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

No. 729,189. PATENTED MAY 26, 1903. LE GRAND KNI'FFBN. MANURE SPREADER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1902.

.30 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No; vaaise.

UNr'rnn STATES Patented May 26, 1909.

LEGRAND KNIFFEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLlNOlS;

MANURE-SPREADER.

ernotmoe'rton forming part of Letters Patent No. 729,189, dated May 26,was.

Application filed June 14, 1902. Serial No. 111,687. (No model.)

T0 at whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, LE GRAND KNIFFEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Manure-Spreaders; and Ido hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention consistsin variousimprovements of the construction andarrangement of parts of manure-Spreaders, particularly of that class ofsaid machines such as is shown in Patent No. 687,935, issued to meDecember 3, 1901--that is to say, of the type of manurespreaders inwhich a box or body is mounted on the running-gear of a wagon and has inits bottom a traveling and endless conveyer which gradually carries themanure toward the rear end of the body, at which end it is cast anddistributed from the vehicle by means of a rotary beater having spikesor teeth to engage the manure, as will be hereinafter more fully setforth and specifically claimed.

Some of the objects of the invention are to provide means to prevent theescape of manure between the front end-gate and the endless andtraveling conveyer; to remove from the outer surface of said conveyor asit passes under the front end-gate any manure that might cling or adherethereto; to remove from the inner surface or returning portion of theconveyor any manure that might collect thereon by reason of it passingbetween the lags of the upper or advancing portion thereof; to protectthe beater from the advancing load of manure on the oonveyer, as well aswhen the machine is being loaded, by means of a partially rotatable andpacked shield which performs the double function of an end-gate whenlowered and a wind-brake when raised;

to automatically lock and hold said shield in.

its raised position; to make the conveyer quite close at its jointswithout interfering with its flexibility and movement, therebypreventingto a great extent liquid manure or fine manure escaping between the lagsor slats of the conveyer; to throw the beaterin and out of gear and todrive and regulate the movement of the .conveyer; tostrengthen and bracethe box or body of the machine against the downward pressure or weightof the load; to allow the con veyer to pass between the body and axlesof the running-gear; to adjust the toothed bars of the heater to anydesired angle with respect to the load of manure; to hold lumps ofmanure at the rear of the beater after they have passed over the sameuntil they have been disintegrated or pulverized by the action of theteeth of the beater.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be mentioned in thedescription and explanation given below.

- Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in sideelevation of my manure-spreader with the conveyor, beater, and seatremoved. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite side thereof with thetractionwheels removed. Fig. 3 is a detail view in elevation of theregulating mechanism for the conveyer. Fig. 4: is a like view showing amodified form thereof. Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of the box or bodyand the conveyer thereunder, showing them shortened for the convenienceof illustration and illustrating the means for preventing the escape ofmanu re between the front end-gate and the conveyer and also forremoving manure from the outer surfaceof the conveyer. Fig. 6 is ashortened plan view of the conveyor, showing the scrapers or cleanersfor removing manure from the upper surface of the returning portionthereof. Fig. 7 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, ofa portion. of the conveyor, showing the construction of the lags orslats forming the same and also illustrating the construction of thelink belts used thereon. Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of said links,showing it shortened for the convenience of illustration. Fig. 9 is aside view in elevation thereof. Fig. 10 is a detached perspective Viewof one of the springs used in actuating the pawls of theconveyor-regulating mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 11 is afragmental view of-a portion of one of said pawls, showing the spring inplace thereon. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of thedetainer, which is located at the rear of the beater. Fig. 13 is asimilar view of a modified form thereof.

Fig. 14 is a detached perspective view of the.

wind-brake. Fig. is an end view in elevation of a portion of one side ofthe box or body, showing the gear-shift thereon and in clutch. Fig. 16is a similar view of like parts, showing them out of clutch or gear.Fig. 17 is a detached edge view of a cam lever or dog used for operatingthe clutch on the gearshift. Fig. 18 is a face view thereof. Fig. 19 isa fragmental end view of the beater, showing the means for adjustablysecuring the toothed bars thereon. Fig. 20 is a rear view of a portionof the beater. Fig. 21 is a side view of the rear part of the body,showing a casting or bracket thereon provided with bearings for one endof the rear axle and the shaft of the main sprocket-wheel and pinion.Fig. 22 is a siniilar View of a like -;portion of the opposite side ofthe body, show ing a casting or bracket thereon for the support of theother end of the rear axle. Fig. 23 is a rear end view of said brackets,showing their relative positions to one another and to the conveyer.Fig. 24 is a detached inner face view of the bracket shown in Fig. 21.Fig. 25 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 26 is an inner perspective view ofthe front portion of the body, showing the means to prevent the escapeof manure between the lower portion of the front end-gate and conveyerand for cleaning the outer surface of the latter. Fig. 27 is a similarview of like parts, showing a modified form of said cleaner. Fig. 28 isa side view of a portion of the bracket used for supporting one end ofthe beatershaft, one arm of the rear end-gate or shield, the catch tosustain the same, and an arm for an idler; and Fig. 29 is across-sectional view thereof.

Like numerals of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views of the drawings. 7

The numeral 40 represents the runninggear of the wagon, which may be ofthe usual construction, except that the wheels thereof are preferablyprovided on their peripheries .with traction or friction attachments forthe middle and extend below the bottom of the body, as is shown in Figs.1 and 2 of the drawings, and serve to assist in strengthening andbracing the body. Extending longitudinally along the lower portion ofeach of the sides of the body is a sill 44, which supports a series ofantifriction-rollers v45, on which the advancing portion of the conveyer46 travels or that portion thereof on which the manure will rest.Journaled transversely at the front ends of these sills is a shaft 47,on which is mounted near each of its ends a sprocket- Wheel 48 to engagethe link belts or chains of the conveyer. Transversely journaled at therear ends of the sills 44 is another shaft 49, on which is mounted neareach of its ends a sprocket-wheel 50, also for the purpose of engagingsaid link belts. At the front ends of the sides 41 and 42 of the body isvertically located an end-gate 51, the lower portion of which extends tonear the front portion of the conveyer, yet leaves a space therebetweenin order that the latter may move freely. To prevent the manure escapingbetween the lower end of the end-gate 51 and the conveyer, I secure tothe inner surface of the lower portion of said gate an apron 52, whichmay be made of flexible material and slightly curved, as is clearlyshown in Figs. 26 and 27 of the drawings. Secured longitudinally on theouter surface of the apron 52 is a block or cleat 53, which is providedwith a series of bristles 54 to form a brush for sweeping off any manurethat may cling to the outer surface of the conveyer. Instead ofproviding the apron 52 with a brush or bristles on its outer surface, asshown in Fig. 26, I may secure to its outer surface a scraper 55 to restagainst the outer surface of the conveyer, as is clearly shown in Fig.27 of the drawings.

The conveyer 46 comprises a series of shiplapped legs or slats 56-thatis, each of said lags or slats is formed alternately on its edges with arabbet 57 and a tenon 58, thus forming close joints between the lags.Each of the lags is provided near its ends and in each of its edges onits lower or inner portion'with recesses 59 for the reception andoperation of theupturned arms 60 and 61 of the links 62, which form thelink belts or chains for the conveyer. Each of the links 62 is providedwith a vertical screw-bolt 63 at about its middle, which passes througha suitable opening in one of the lags near its end and is securedthereon by a nut 67 or otherwise. The upturned arm 60 on one end of thelink 62 is formed with a hook 64 to engage the rounded portion or pin 65on the upturned arm 61, at the other end of the adjacent link, thusuniting the links and forming an endless belt or chain, one of which islocated near each end of the lags forming the conveyer, so that the arms60 and 61 will be located in the recesses 59, as above stated. At one ofits ends each of the links 62 is formed or provided with adownwardly-projecting lug 66 to engage the sprocket-wheels 48 and 50used for moving the conveyer.

Secured transversely to the sills 44 and between the same near theirfront and rear ends are cross-bars 68, to each of which is secured, bymeans of link-rods 69 or otherwise, a pair of obliquely-inclinedscrapers 70, which rest at their lower edges on the upper surface of thereturning portion of the conveyer and are employed for the purpose ofscraping therefrom any manure that may pass between the joints of thelags of the conveyer, in which operation the thus-collected manure willbe caused to pass out under the sills44, as is apparent.

Journaled at the rear end of the box or body is a cylindrical beater,which in the present instance comprises two circular heads 71,

mounted on a shaft 92, and which heads are connected together by meansof bars 72, each of which carries a series of teeth or spikes 73 and areseated at their ends in curved repass through said slots and arms.

cesses 74, formed in the flanges 75, which are usuallylocated on theinner or adjacent surfaces of said heads. The flanges 75 are eachprovided in the recesses 74 with slots 76 to receive one end of thespikes or teeth 73, which ends are screw-threaded to receive nuts 77,employed for holding the bars 72 in the desired position to give theteeth 73 the desired angle with respect to the load of manure, as willbe readily understood by reference to Fig. 19, in which the variouspositions of the teeth are .shown by dotted lines.

Extending rearwardly over the heads 71 of the heater and at each side ofthe body is an arm 78, on each of which is located a casting or piece79, having slots 80, which castings or pieces are ad justably secured onthe arms 78 by means of bolts and nuts 81, which bolts On the rear endsof the pieces 79 is journaled a detainer, which comprises a cross-bar82, having a series of tines or prongs 83, which ex tend to the rear ofthe beater-teeth, yet in and is employed to yieldingly hold the de-jtainer in position.

Instead of providing the bar or shaft 82 with tines or prongs, as shownin Fig. 12 of the drawings, I may secure thereto a piece of metal orother suitable material 86, which may be flexible or otherwise, butwhich will extend downwardly at the rear of the beater.

In using the detainer when constructed with the tines 83 or with thepiece 86 it is apparent that if the beater carries over manure in theform of lumps the detainer will hold it at the rear of the beater untilit is disintegrated or pulverized. As the detainer is adjustable bymeans of the slotted pieces 79 and is yieldingly held in place, it isevident that it will ofier no obstruction to the proper discharge by thebeater of the manure unless it is in lumps.

Secured to the rear end of one side of the body or box and usually tothat side indicated by the numeral 41 is a bracket 87, and secured tothe rear portion of the opposite side 42 is another rearwardly extendingbracket or casting 88, in the rear portions of which brackets orcastings the beater-shaft is journaled. Pi votallysecured on the rearupper portion of the brackets 87 and 88 are the arms 89 of the curvedshield 90, which is preferably provided around its end and bottom edgeswith packing 91, of rubber or other suitable flexible material, so as toprevent leakage at the rear end of the box or body when the said shieldis lowered to perform the function of the rear end-gate. The casting orbracket 88 is of special construction and affords bearings for thebeater-shaft 92,- the gravity-catch 93, and the arm 89 of the shield 90or rear end-gate, which arm carries a pin 94, with which the catch 93engages when it is desired to retain the shield 90 in its raisedposition. The catch or dog 93 is journaled on a stub-shaft 95 on thelower rear portion of the bracket 88, which shaft is formed with arecess 96 to receive a lug 97 on the catch to prevent it turning toofarin either direction.

Adjustably secured on the front portion of the bracket 88 is an arm 98,which has journaled on its lower end an idler 99 to tighten thesprocket-chain 100, which passes over the sprocket-wheel 101 on-one endof the beatershaft 92 and also over the main sprocketwheel 102, which ismountedon a shaft 103 on the lower rear portion of the box or body. Theinner portion of the hub of the sprocketwheel 102 is formed with anannular groove 105, in which projects one end of a spring 106, which issecured at its other end to the box or body and serves to hold thesprocketwheel in place. The outer portion of thehub of thesprocket-wheel 102 is provided with a clutch-face 107 to engage a clutch108 on the inner portion of the hub of the pinion 109, which is looselymounted on the shaft 103, and has an annular groove 110 in the outerportion of its hub for the reception and operation of a spring-actuatedyoke-bar 111, which is secured at its upper end to the rear portion ofone side of the box or body. Pass ing through an opening in the upperportion of the bar 111 is a bolt 112, around which is a spring 113,which rests at one of its ends against the head of said bolt'and atitsother end against the bar 111 and normally presses the same inwardly,so as to cause the clutches 107 and 108 to engage. Pivotally secured onthe bolt 112 is an eccentric lever 114, which has on its outer face aearn 115 to coact with the inner surface of the bar 111, so as to forcethe same outwardly. Connected at one of its ends to the lower end of thelever 114 is a rod 116, which is connected at its other end to ahand-lever 117, fulcrumed on the front portion of the box or body.Connected to the lower end of the arm 89 of the shield 90, which carriesthe pin 94, is a rod 118, the other end of which'is movably connected tothe rod 116, as is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. By moving thehand-lever 117 in the proper directionthat is, rearwardly-it is apparentthat the lever 114 will be turned so as to throw the yoke-bar 111outwardly, thus disengaging the clutches 107 and 108 and throwing thepinion 109 out of gear with the pinion 119, which is rigidly mounted onthe rear axle on the running-gear At the same time by unhooking thecatch 93 from the pin 94, on one of the arms thereof, the shield 90 maybe lowered from its raised position, so as to prevent the too-readyescape of the parts of the load that may be in a pulverulent orsemiliquid condition on account of the packing 91 to use for supportingor furnishing bearings for the rear axle of the running-gear and otherparts located near the rear end of the machine. The bracket 120, whichis secured to the side 42 of the box or body and one of the sills 44, orthat side of the body on which the gear-shift above described islocated, is formed in its lower portion with a journalbox 121 for oneend of the rear axle, and in about a horizontal plane therewith ajournal box or bearing 122, in which the shaft 103, on which the mainsprocket-wheel is mounted, is preferably fixed. The inner face orsurface of the casting 120 is formed with a horizontal flange 125, onwhich a portion of one of the sills 44 will rest. Just below the flange125 and at about its middle the bracket is provided on its inner surfacewith a stubshaft 126, (see Fig. 23,) on which is journaled a roller 127,with which the return portion of the conveyer 46 will impinge in itsmovements. On the rear portion of the side 41 of the body and to thesill thereunder is secured another bracket 128, which is provided with ajournal-box 121 for the other end of the rear axle and with a stub-shaft126 and a roller 127 thereon to support the lower portion of theconveyer. This bracket is provided on its inner surface with ahorizontal flange 125, on which a portion of one of the sills 44 willrest.

From the above it will be understood that the bracket 120 furnishes thebearings for one end of the rear axle, the shaft 103, and the stub-shaft126, as well as the support for the rear end of one of the sills. Thebracket 128 furnishes bearings for the other end of the rear axle, thestub-shaft 126, and the support for the rear end of the other sill.

By reference to Fig. 23 it will be seen that the sills 44, on which thefriction-rollers 45 are journaled," are so supported on the brackets 120and 128 that the return portion of the conveyer will pass between thelower surfaces of the said sills and the rear axle. To the lower portionof each side of the body, near its front end, is secured a bracket, thelower end of which is secured to the end of the front bolster, so as tohold it at a distance from the sills of the body, thus supporting themin such a manner that the return portion of the conveyer will passbetween the lower surfaces of the said sills and the bolster, all ofwhich is an important feature and one that, so far as I am aware, isnovel.

On the opposite side of the body from that on which the drivingmechanism for the heater is located is the mechanism for regulating themovements of the conveyor 46, so as to control the manure as it is fedto the heater, and this mechanism (see Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings)consists of a toothed gear or ratchetwheel 131, which is fixed on oneend of the shaft 49, over which the conveyer passes, and which shaft,asbefore stated, is provided with sprocket-wheels 50 for the chains orlink belts of the conveyer. Pivotally secured on a shaft 132, near thegear or ratchet-wheel 131, is a vibrating bar 133, which has pivotallysecured thereon,above the shaft 1 32,a pawl 134,the free end of whichengages the upper portion of the gear 131, as shown. Secured at one ofits ends to the bar 133 below its pivot is another pawl 135, whose freeend also engages the teeth of the wheel 131 below the point ofengagement of the upper pawl. Each of these pawls is held in positionand in engagement with the ratchet-wheel or gear 131 by means of aspring, which comprises a loop 136 to rest on the upper surface of thepawl, and which loop is formed with coils 137 to receive the ends of thepins on, which the pawls are pivoted and to give resiliency. Extendingrearwardly from the loop 136 are arms 138, which embrace the vibratingbar 133 and secure the spring in position thereon. Suitably located onthe bar 133 is a box 139, to which is pivotally secured at one of itsends a pitman 140, the other end of which is connected to a crank 141 onthe end of the beater-shaft 92 opposite that on which the sprocket-wheel101 is mounted.

Journaled. on the upper end of the bar 133 is a pulleyor sheave 142,over which passes a cord 143, which is secured at one of its ends to thebox 139 and passes down and against another sheave 144 on thepivot-shaft of said bar. The other end of the cord 143 is connected toahand-lever 145, fulcrumed on the front portion of the body, and whichlever carries a. grip-rod 146 to engage a segmental rack-bar 147 on thefront of the box or body. By moving the lever 145 in the properdirection it is apparent that the box 139 will be raised or lowered,thereby lengthening or shortening the stroke of the bar 133 and throughit regulating the movement of the gear 13 1= and the conveyer.

Insteadof using the above-described mechanism for operating the conveyerI may employ one of the construction shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings,which consists in pivotally securing near the gear 131 a rocker-box 148,having spring-actuated pawls 134 and 135, as in the other construction,to engage the said gear. Passing through the rocker-box 148 is avibrating bar 133, which in this instance has pivotally secured to itsupper end the pitman 140, which is connected to the crank 141 133 andits other end connected to the handlever at the front of the machine. Inusing the mechanism now under consideration it is apparent that bymovingthe lever 145 back and forth the bar 133 will be slid through theopening in the rocker-box, thereby shortening or lengthening the strokeof the same.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a manure-spreader, the combination of the body, with a conveyormovable rearwardly at its bottom, a flexible apron transversely fixed atthe front portion of the body just above the conveyer to prevent theescape of manure between the front end of the body and the conveyer,substantially as described.

2. In a-manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an end-gatefixed in its front portion, a conveyor at the bottom of the body andmovable rearwardly, a flexible apron located at the lower portion of theend-gate so as to prevent the escape of manure between it and theconveyer, substantially as described.

In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an end-gate inits front portion, an endless conveyor at the bottom of the body, ayielding apron located at the lower portion of the said gate so as toprevent the escape of manure between it and the conveyer and withoutimpeding the movement of the latter, substantially as described.

4. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an endlessconveyer at its bottom, a yielding apron located across the frontportion of the body just above the conveyer, a cleaner on the undersurface of the apron and in contact with the outer surface of theconveyer, whereby the escape of manure is prevented and the conveyor iscleaned substantially as described.

5. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the .body, of an endlessconveyer at its bottom, a yielding apron across the front of the bodyjust above the conveyer, a brush cleaner located on the under surface ofthe apron and in contact with the outer surface of the conveyer,substantially as described.

6. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an end-gatein its front portion, an endless conveyer at the bottom of the body, ayielding apron secured to the lower portion of the end-gate, a cleaneron the under surface of the apron and in contact with the outer surfaceof the conveyer, substantially as described.

7. In a manurespreader, the combination with the body, of a beaterjournaled at its rear end, a curved shield having an arm at each of itsends pivotally secured near the shaft of the beater, one of said armshaving an extension projecting below its pivot and carrying a pin, and acatch or dog pivotally secured so as to engage said pin and to hold theshield in a raised position over the beater, substantially as described.

8. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an endlessconveyer at its bottom, a rotary curved shield provided with packing onits perimeter and pivotally secured at the rear end of the body so thatwhen lowered it will form an end-gate and when raised will form a hoodor wind-break, substantially as described.

9. In a manurespreader, the combination with the body, of an endlessconveyor at its bottom, a rotary curved shield having a pivoted arm ateach of its ends and provided with packing on its perimeter, one of saidarms having an extension projecting below its pivot and carrying a pin,and a self-acting dog or catch pivotally secured so as to engage saidpin and to hold the shield in a raised position, substantially asdescribed.

10. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, ofabeater-shaft j ournaled at the rear end thereof and having on one ofits ends a crank, a heater on said shaft, a conveyer-shaftjournaled ateach end of the body, an endless conveyer passing over saidconveyer-shafts, a ratchet-Wheel or toothed gear on one end of the rearconveyer-shaft, a vibratory bar located near the ratchet-Wheel, pawlslocated one above the other on said bar and engaging the ratchet-wheel,a pitman connecting the crank of the beater-shaft and the upper end ofsaid bar, a pulley suitably journaled and located on the bar, a

hand-lever fulcrumed on the body, a cord connected at one of its ends tosaid lever and passing against the pulley and having connection at itsother end with the end of the pitman opposite that to which the crank isconnected, substantially as described.

11. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of abeater-shaft journaled at the rear end thereof and having on one of itsit ends a crank, a beater on said shaft, a conveyer-shaft journaled ateach end of the body, an endless conveyerpassing over saidconveyer-shafts, a'ratchet-wheel or toothed gear on one end of the rearconveyer-shaft, a bar pivotally secured near the said gear,springactuated pawls pivotally secured one above the other on saidbarand engaging the ratchetwheel or gear, a pitman connected at one ofits ends to the crank of the beater-shaft and slidably connected at itsother end to the said bar,'a pulley journaled on the upper end of IIOthe bar and another pulley journaled at about its pivot point, ahand-lever fulcrumed on the body, a cord connected at one of its ends tosaid lever and at its other end to the slidably-connected end of thepitman and passing over said pulleys, substantially as described.

12. In a manure-spreader, the combination with thebody, of a rotarybeater journaled at the rear end thereof and having heads at its ends,each of said heads being provided on its inner surface with a flangehaving curved recesses provided with slots, a series of bars located insaid curved recesses, teeth or spikes extending through said bars andhaving their inner ends adjustably secured in the slots of the recesses,substantially as described.

13. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body havingrearwardly-extending arms at its rear end, of a toothed rotary beaterjournaled at the rear end of the body and below said arms, a slottedplate or piece adjustthe rear end thereof, a detainer adjustably' andyieldingly mounted on the rear end of the body above the beater andhaving tines or prongs extending downwardly at and near the rear of thebeater, substantially as described.

15. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an endlessconveyer at its bottom, a bracket secured to each of its sides near itsrear end, each of said brackets having in its lower portion a bearingfor the rear axle, said axle journaled in said bearings, aninwardly-extending stub-shaft, a roller journaled on said stub-shaft,and a horizontal flange on its inner surface above the axlebearing forthe support of the body, so that the conveyerinay pass between the bodyand the rear axle and in contact with said rollers, substantially asdescribed.

16. In a manure-spreader, the combination with thebody, of a bracketsecured to one of its sides near the rear end thereof,said bracket beingprovided in its lower portion with a bearing for one end of the rearaxle, a bearing for the shaft of the main sprocket-wheel, aninwardlyprojecting stub-shaft, and a horizontal flange on its innersurface above said bearings to support one side of the body, the rearaxle journaled in the bearing therefor, the shaft for the mainsprocket-wheel journaled in the bearing therefor, and the mainsprocket-wheel mounted on the lastnamed shaft, substantially asdescribed.

17. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the body, of an endlessconveyer at its bottom, a bracket secured to each of its sides near itsrear end, each of said brackets having a bearing in its lower portionfor the ends of the rear axle, and a flange on its inner surface,whereby the body will be supported at a distance above the rear axle topermit the return portion of the conveyer to pass between the body andsaid axle, and the rear axle journaled in the said bearings,substantially as described.

18. In a manure-spreader, the-combination with the body, of the brackets38, secured to the rear end of its sides, each of said brackets having abearing for one end of the beatershaft, a bearing for one arm of thecurved shield, and one of the brackets having abearing for theself-acting catch to hold said shield in its raised position, thebeater-shaft journaled at its ends in the bearings therefor, the

shield having its arms journaled in the bearings therefor, and the catchjournaled in the bearing therefor, substantially as described.

. LE GRAND KNIFFEN.

Witnesses:

CHAS. O. TILLMAN, A. GUSTAFSON.

